πόνος
pónos/ˈpo.nos/masculine
The Greek word for "pain" is πόνος (pónos).
πόνος is used to refer to an ache or physical bodily suffering.
Meaning: ache or bodily suffering (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
πόνος is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpo.nos/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: pónos.
Did you know?
- In Modern Greek, the word πόνος can be used to describe a 'pain' in the heart, which often refers to emotional heartbreak rather than a cardiac event.
- The noun πόνος can be used in a way that sounds almost celebratory in certain ancient contexts, referring to the 'glory' found in the grueling effort of an athlete or soldier.
- When describing a 'painful' or 'difficult' person, a Greek speaker might use a derivative of πόνος to imply that the person's very presence is a source of exhaustion or toil for others.
Examples in context
- Ο πόνος στο πόδι μου δεν σταματάει.The pain in my leg won't stop.
- Νιώθω πόνο για αυτό που πέρασε.I feel pain for what happened.
- Είχα ένα έντονο αίσθημα πόνου στο στομάχι μου.I had a strong sense of pain in my stomach.
- Πονάω πολύ από τη γυμναστική.I'm in a lot of pain from the workout.
- Βασανίζομαι από την απώλεια.I'm tormented by the loss.
- Ο πόνος άρχισε χθες το βράδυ.O pónos árchise chthes to vrády.The pain started last night.
Example conversation
Kostas tells Kyriaki about his injury.
- Κώστας KostasΚυριακή, έχω έναν έντονο πόνο στο γόνατο.Kyriakí, écho énan éntono póno sto gónato.Kyriaki, I have an intense pain in my knee.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠώς έγινε αυτός ο πόνος, Κώστα;Pós égine aftós o pónos, Kósta?How did this pain happen, Kostas?
- Κώστας KostasΈπεσα χθες κατά τη διάρκεια του αγώνα.Épesa chthes katá tin dyárkeia tou agóna.I fell yesterday during the game.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΠρέπει να πας στον γιατρό τώρα.Prépei na pas ston giatró tóra.You should go to the doctor now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pain” translations and entries πόνος, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
